teknote systems corporate blog

For those interested in blogging but without the time to generate elaborate posts, ‘microblogging’ is a much better alternative. What is microblogging? Basically microblogging is blogging in a nutshell, or posting web logs in about 200 characters or less. Services such as Twitter, Jaiku and Pownce are popular with microbloggers who post updates about what they are doing, and the number of microblog users continues to grow exponentially.

With the increased number of microbloggers sharing posts, users are turning toward indexing services the help monitor microblog feeds. FriendFeed, twhirl, Quotably.com and Tweetscan are useful tools in keeping track of online public conversations within Twitter, Jaiku and Pownce. Hidden or ‘protected’ posts are not tracked, an added layer of security for bloggers wanting messages to be viewed only by privately selected users.

Current events have never before been so rapidly broadcast, with microblogs quickly becoming the new electronic wave pushing mainstream media to the wayside. What are you doing now anyway?

Watching television shows from your computer is no longer a thing of the future. A quickly growing company by the name of Hulu provides online viewing of TV episodes, clips and movies around the clock in the United States. Want to know more? View this video walkthrough:

Vending machines are known for providing consumers a quick snack or beverage while on-the-go, but iPods and perfume? That’s right. ZoomSystems has created vending machines to sell electronics and beauty products in U.S. airports and stores such as Macy’s. With the use of touch screens, consumers can interactively purchase Apple iPods, Elizabeth Arden cosmetics, Sony digital cameras and more exclusive name-brand products without ever talking to a salesperson.

But are these vending machines a fad or will they actually catch on with shoppers? Personally, in comparison to shopping online, I like the idea of instantly receiving my purchase rather than waiting for the item to be shipped to my home. However the drawback I can see is in returning items, which is not quite as simple. Rather than taking the item directly to a ‘brick and mortar’ store for a refund or exchange, I would be forced to ship the item back to the factory and then wait to receive a refund. Not exactly a quick and easy process, but then again impulse buyers tend not to think ahead about the possibility of having to return a product.

Now to see how shoppers react and if the machines stand the test of time.

Who says voice mail over the Internet is not just for the corporate world? Google, that’s who! Simply download Google Talk and get started with free online communication, including instant messaging and voice mail service. Not interested in another download? No problem. Just launch the Google Talk gadget and be on your way to instant communication.

Get Google Talk while it’s hot!

Why should Grandma and Grandpa Jones miss out on email and family photos just because they don’t own a computer? They shouldn’t, precisely why Presto came up with the idea of a printing mailbox service. Presto prints the recipient’s email messages and/or photo attachments on a daily schedule similar to regular postal mail delivery. Access to a computer with or without internet service is not required, only a telephone line, printing mailbox and subscription to Presto’s service.

Technology is an such amazing thing.

Apple’s release of its new Mac OS X Leopard has all the tech critics talking raving. Not only is the operating system an improvement on an already proven leader, but Leopard applies a human touch with the use of file Stacks for organization and Finder for management. As an additional and much needed feature, Apple also introduces Time Machine as a solution for file backup and recovery. And with a pricetag less than $200 for a new install or upgrade, these features (and 300+ more) are well worth the investment for Apple computer users.

This is the kind of stir in technology that makes us Windows users tempted to jump ship…

Move over cable & telephone companies, WiMAX is making headway. Columnist Jay Greene (BusinessWeek) provides a review of WiMAX via Clearwire service, sending a positive message about the future of WiMAX and our online experience:

If you’re fortysomething or older, like me, you probably remember the thrill of getting your first home dial-up connection to the Net. Then came broadband, which was pure magic. And then Wi-Fi, which delivered fast Web access throughout the home, as well as in cares and airport lounges. Now I’m completely spoiled. I want my Internet wherever I happen to be. An emerging technology called WiMAX aims to indulge that craving… [more]

~ “A Sneak Preview of WiMAX” by Jay Greene, BusinessWeek, Sept. 3, 2007.

Recently posted in a Microsoft Watch blog, a technology columnist delivers a scathing review of Microsoft’s Vista operating system:

The Vista experience is broken. It’s long past time to fix it. Not since Windows ME or Mac OS X 10.0 have I observed a more troubled consumer operating system. This is a difficult post to write, because I really don’t want to beat on Microsoft about Vista yet again. But yesterday’s continuation of the Windows Vista Capable lawsuit and several conversations I had today are reasons to look at what Microsoft got wrong and why the company should make things right.

Simply put: Windows Vista is a train wreck, but it didn’t have to be. Unfortunately, my “Wow” moment was accepting Windows Vista for what it is. Vista will succeed in the marketplace because of the huge infrastructure built up around the operating system. But that doesn’t mean most people will like using Vista, or even ask for it. [more]

~ “Broken Windows” by Joe Wilcox, eWeek Microsoft Watch, Aug. 9, 2007.

Ditto… ouch.

If you haven’t been keeping your eyes open to the latest internet trend, you must read up on WIDGETS. These little modules of code are sure to transform the way we experience the world wide web, and the more you know about what is available for your personal desktop, the better the experience.

According to BusinessWeek magazine:

In the Web world, widgets are modules of software that people can drag and drop onto the personal page of their social network or onto a blog. There, widgets typically look like a little window or box, packing a bit of the functionality that you would get with a stand-alone Web site or software package. The result can be as mundane as the WeatherBug, or a YouTube clip of your favorite video of a bulldog riding a skateboard… more.

~ “The Next Small Thing” by Spencer E. Ante, Heather Green, and Catherine Holahan

With that said, take the plunge and get yourself some WIDGETS. Teknote Systems recommends starting by way of Mozilla Firefox Add-ons or iGoogle. But those are just the tip of the iceburg. Keep an eye on this new wave of web applications as widgets take the internet by storm.

Identity theft is a growing problem worldwide, and Teknote Systems would like to help you minimize the risk by sharing the following tips offered by one of our business partners, American Express:

• Shred documents containing your sensitive information before
  discarding them.
• Secure your sensitive information at home and at work.
• Before disclosing any personal information, make sure you know why it is required and how it will be used.
• Obtain your credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus once every 6-12 months and review them for accuracy. (You can get a free copy of your credit report each year at www.annualcreditreport.com).
• Use caution when responding to e-mails requesting personal information. When in doubt, contact the sender of the request through a known, secure channel (phone number on back of credit card or a known website address).